Japanese pottery technique inspired VizMA winning piece

CEBU, Philippines — Looking for new song recommendations? “Matag Piraso,” a song of rebuilding and creating beauty out of chaos, emerged as the first Visayan Music Awards (VizMA) Grand Prize winner among ten finalists and 482 initial entries during the finals night held July 27 at Oakridge Pavilion.

Written by freelance graphic and visual artist Ferdinand Aragon, 24, “Matag Piraso” was inspired by the Japanese art of kinstukuroi, known as “the golden repair.” Also known as kinstugi, the Japanese pottery technique makes use of lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum to mend broken pieces – proving that brokenness and beauty may not be far apart depending on how you see it.

In “Matag Piraso,” the Fine Arts graduate from the University of the Philippines Cebu sings about being ready to pick up the pieces of a broken heart in the hopes of being able to love again.

“Dugay ko na unta kining gibuhat. Apan ako, sa pagka-karon, andam na,” Ferdinand wrote just before the chorus where he sings, “Ako nang bawion ang matag piraso, matag retaso sa nabuak kong kasingkasing, nga nagapabilin nagapangandoy kanimo/Kay basin pa maporma pag usab, ug ang bungkag mahimo pa’g usa.”

It is a sentimental ballad, haunting almost. The narrator may not be reeling from pain any longer, but they still remember the hurt well. At the same time, they remember that a broken heart is still a heart, thus finding the courage to endure a thousand stitches until each corner is patched up, and the sign of life is felt, a heartbeat heard.

“Wala pa na sink in. I’m really happy. It’s not just about winning but also because of this cause. Bisaya music is being represented not just in the Philippines but also in the whole world,” said Aragon, a resident of Pardo, Cebu City. He received P100,000 for his victory.

Aragon, who considers himself a storyteller, began writing songs in college, eagerly joining Vispop four times in a row, despite not making the cut. It was in 2017 when he joined the Philpop Bootcamp which inspired him to try harder. He eventually won first place in Kanta Kasingkasing, and second place at the Philippine Pop Songwriting Competition in 2018.

He said joining VizMA was his way of challenging himself as songwriter. Describing “Matag Piraso” as more of an experiment and a study, he said this was his very first ballad as a folk-indie artist. He wanted to explore what he learned in the songwriting workshops he’d been in, and from that curiosity, “Matag Piraso” was born.

“I wrote ‘Matag Piraso’ for VizMA, it’s not pondo na song. I really challenged myself to write something new and by God’s help, nahuman nako ang song and nakadaog siya,” said Aragon, who interpreted his own piece, ditching his guitar to sing with the Cebu Philharmonic Orchestra to reinforce the ballad feel.

While “Matag Piraso” may be a work of fiction for him, he mused that it may be a true story for others.

Bigger things are just beginning for Aragon, who after his victory at VizMA, had to immediately catch a flight to Manila to perform at the ABS-CBN music-oriented show “ASAP Natin To!” alonsgide the country’s top artists the next day as the Visayas representative for the Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino celebration. Aragon, who is among the 12 Himig Handog 2019 finalists for his composition “Ingat,” feels like he’s in a dream state.

Coming second to “Matag Piraso” was the duet “Balitaw,” a sweet track written by the father-daughter tandem of Adonis and Yana Durado who are currently based in Ohio, USA. The song was originally written in English by Yana, a Communication student. It is inspired by her simple crush, the lyrics painting a picture of her serenading the subject of her affection. “Balitaw” was translated into Bisaya by Yana’s father, award-wining Cebuano poet, visual journalist, and graphic designer Adonis Durado. Performed by Georg Laurente and Dane Smith, “Balitaw” won for them P75,000.

At third place is “Lingi-a” by Melay Libres, who has roots in Bohol, Leyte, and Cebu. The song, transformed into an EDM piece for the competition, had been under wraps for two years and was performed by Mix Fenix. Winning P50,000 for its composer, “Lingi-a” is about being seen, that one glance people long for which could become the start of something more.

Gail Blanco, who interpreted Fr. Reymund Quito’s song of hope, “Sama Lang Kanimo,” was hailed Best Interpreter, while “Hit and Run,” performed by Chinkie Maylon, Jake Batiancela, and Markee, composed by Neil Salarda with lyrics by John Peterson Villarin, won the Texter’s Choice Award.

Other finalists include “Alu” composed by Hakeem Duazo and performed by Mackie; “Ayaw sa Karon” by Ramon Christopher Calam, performed by Aaron Domingo; “Kalimtan na ka Karon” by Ruel Cerino and performed by Chinkie Maylon; “Natulog Mong Kasing-Kasing” by John Stephen Cadeliña and lyrics by Irving Guazon, performed by Daryl Leong; and “Nganu” by Fritz Baguio.

While the songwriting competition is VizMA’s highlight, the affair also aimed to celebrate the men and women who contributed to the flourishing of Bisaya music. During Sunday’s finals night, VizMA recognized two fixtures in the industry: Max Surban and Msgr. Rudy Villanueva, becoming the first recipients of the Bahandi Lifetime Achievement Award.

Organized by the Sacred Heart School for Boys Batch 1985 Foundation Inc., the inaugural staging of the Visayan Music Awards featured performances from Karencitta and Max Surban, and was hosted by Cebuana comedienne and singer Giselle Sanchez alongside OJ Cimafranca.

VizMA Creative Director Kenneth Cobonpue said that the competition sought the help of the best arrangers and engineers in the country to bring out the special qualities of each VizMA finalist. They also made sure to have the Cebu Philharmonic Orchestra as live accompaniment for all the finalists, and brought in judges like Dennis Sugarol, Franco Reyes, John Ingoldsby, and Prudence Salutillo to make sure that the event boasted only of the best.

“We received a lot of submissions – from expert recordings complete with a full band, and even eager acapella versions recorded in the bathroom complete with the toilet flushing. Despite that, none of them were s--t,” Cobonpue said during his welcome remarks.

“We feel very honored and excited that these songwriters have entrusted us with their precious songs, born from their heartfelt experiences and stories. If there’s anything that tonight proves, it’s that the future of Bisaya music is bright and brighter.”

VizMA Project Chairperson Barney Borja, who sat as Chairman of the Board of Judges, said that they are pleased with the turnout of the first staging of VizMA. He urged the proud Bisaya to keep writing.

“We are very happy with the support for Visayan music. This is what we wanted to happen. We’re very inspired, so next year we’re looking for a bigger and more exciting Visayan Music Awards. We’d like to encourage all aspiring writers to please join, write more songs. We need more music. We need more Visayan music,” said the music composer and producer.